ABSTRACT
Healthy democratic politics assumes the full and informed partici-pation of citizens in the discussion of public issues and the selectionof government officials. Active citizens are the irreplaceable participants in democratic politics. Political participation refers to all of the opportunities we have as individuals or as members of groups, associations, or political parties to join in shaping our common life. Intelligent candidates conducting informative campaigns before watchful citizens, who in turn cast thoughtful votes on election day, are the democratic ideal.
